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The Ontario Highway Traffic Act applies to the provisional use of commercial and non-commercial motor vehicles on the Roads and Highways of Ontario, Canada, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, farm equipment, construction equipment, buses, motor home vehicles, and non-motorized bikes.

Hey Guys,
I'm not sure if this is the correct section to post this... I'm a tractor trailer truck driver, and although i didn't get a ticket, Last week, I was involved in a conversation with my boss and fleet manager about removing snow off the top of the rig.

1) There are currently no specific regulations or requirements under the Highway Traffic Act for commercial vehicle drivers or operators to clear the accumulated snow and ice from the roof of trucks or trailers.
2) Snow and ice that has naturally accumulated on the roofs of vehicles is not considered part of the legitimate load, and therefore, is not subject to load securement requirements.
3) Any snow and ice that has naturally accumulated on any vehicle, and falls off while the vehicle is on the highway, is considered a road hazard.
4) Under the Highway Traffic Act, no one may drive a vehicle on a highway if it is in a dangerous or unsafe condition which endangers road users.
5) Ice and snow can build up on a transport truck while itÃ¢Â€Â™s on the road, while itÃ¢Â€Â™s at a shipperÃ¢Â€Â™s or receiverÃ¢Â€Â™s premises or at a truck stop.
6) Most businesses donÃ¢Â€Â™t have the infrastructure in place to remove ice before a truck gets back on the road. ItÃ¢Â€Â™s not practical to expect businesses install it.
7) Most van-bodied trucks and trailersÃ¢Â€Â™ roof structures are not designed for drivers to climb or walk on. And combined with winter weather conditions, would create an unsafe workplace for the driver.
8 ) Ministry of Labour advises that OntarioÃ¢Â€Â™s workplace safety laws require the employer to provide anyone working more than 3.04 metres (10 feet) above the ground with fall arrest equipment, scaffolding, etc. to prevent falls. (my rig is 13'6".)

Now, I completely 100% agree with the dangers of having snow fall off my rig while driving, thatÃ¢Â€Â™s not the argument here. However, what IÃ¢Â€Â™m contesting, is the safety factor of actually going up there to remove the snow.

So my questions to you, are:

A) Is there really no law or regulation under the Highway Traffic act in Ontario for commercial drivers to keep snow and ice off the roofs of their rigs?
B) Who is actually responsible for removing snow off the roofs of commercial vehicles? Is it the Company, or the Driver him/herself? Another trucker friend of mine said "It's the driver's responsibility to make sure it's done, but it's the company's problem to deal with it." Is this True?
C) Is it true that Naturally accumulated snow is not considered part of the legitimate load, and therefore is not subject to load securement requirements.
D) Where can I find the specific regulation under either the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), or Ontario Workplace Safety Standards that specifically states that employers must provide workers with fall arrest equipment and training when working at heights of over 3 meters (10 feet)?

It is always the driver's responsibility to make sure their vehicle is safe before taking it out but it would be up to the company to provide safe and legal methods of ensuring that. How you would get your company to do that, or how they could provide you with something after snow accumulation out of their yard, I have no idea.

The 3m bit I found applies to the construction business but, regardless, a company has a responsibility for health and safety. It may apply across all trades.

Former Ontario Police Officer. Advice will become less relevant as the time goes by !